Why is the Solar Reflection Index (SRI) so important to buildings and how is it measured?

Initiatives to conserve energy and construction material consumption cannot be overstated in importance in an industry committed to the environment and sustainability

The growing concern for caring for the environment has translated into a large number of initiatives, which are also driven and implemented by industries such as construction and materials. These initiatives include those aimed at creating sustainable buildings. These buildings are often characterized by, for example, their energy efficiency or water usage efficiency. But also by using alternative energy sources or choosing the materials used in its construction. The importance of these factors is not trivial, as one of the aims of sustainable architecture is to minimize the impact of the so-called "urban heat island". That is, an increase in the temperature of the city relative to the surrounding area.

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) in Buildings for Energy Efficiency

When constructing or renovating buildings or urban spaces, one of the solutions to mitigate this phenomenon is to choose materials with suitable thermophysical properties.

This is why the construction industry uses tests to measure optical properties that affect the temperature rise of materials. So, for example, the materials tested include those used for ceilings, pavements or facades in buildings and urban spaces.

For this purpose, laboratories usually perform tests on the so-called solar reflectance index (SRI). This is because the impact of SRI on global warming is considered unquestionable.